A former Los Angeles Lakers star’s retirement did not last long. Dwight Howard will once again be playing in Los Angeles, just not for the Lakers.
The Big 3 announced that Howard is ending his retirement to play in the three-on-three league again. Fresh off being named to the Hall of Fame, the former Lakers All-Star is returning to the court.
Howard has been named a co-captain of the LA Riot, the league announced on May 6, 2026.
“LA gets Superman back!!” the Big 3 detailed in a May 6, message on X. “Dwight Howard, newly minted Hall of Famer, returns to the BIG3 as Player Captain of the Riot.
“Jordan Crawford is back as Co-Captain and rookie Kosta Koufos joins as the other Co-Captain Big Boy energy🧨🧨💥💥.”
Howard last played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season appearing in 60 games for the Lakers.
Ex-Lakers Star Dwight Howard Ends Retirement in Less Than 2 Months
It is a bit of surprising news as Howard announced his retirement less than two months ago. Howard made it clear that he was “retiring from all basketball” in a March statement posted to social media.
“But now Im taking off the cape and retiring from all basketball to pour into my family and give back to communities worldwide,” Howard noted in the March 12, message on X. “I know some of you might think I thought he already ‘retired’ but I didn’t… the game retired me! I still had more left to give!
“Yeah I did play professionally for 20 years and Im grateful to be able to say that but I can’t lie seeing these other players still going at it at age 40 inspired me to want to keep trying but now I believe my duty will be to pass it down to the next generation.”
Dwight Howard Had 3 Different Stints With the Lakers During His NBA Career
Howard is returning to play basketball at 40 years old. The 8-time All-Star center had several stint with the Lakers.
Back in 2012, Howard was traded by the Orlando Magic to the Lakers after years of NBA rumors. Howard was entering the final season of an $83 million contract at the time of the blockbuster trade.
The Big 3 Season Tips Off on June 20, in Los Angeles
After starting 76 games for the Lakers during the 2012-13 season, Howard joined the Houston Rockets. Howard would later return to have two separate stints with the Lakers at the end of his NBA career.
The star center played the 2019-20 and 2021-22 seasons with Los Angeles. Howard and the upcoming Big 3 season tips off on June 20, at the Los Angeles Clippers‘ new Intuit Dome.
“I’m looking forward to just going out there, putting this jersey on, and just seeing Lakers every day,” Howard said after returning to the Lakers in 2020, per Lakers Nation. “Just means so much to me.”
When Howard previously announced his retirement, the star revealed a plan to take a tour of cities where he previously played.
“Since I didn’t get a chance to ever have a farewell tour I decided to create a tour not for fans to appreciate me but for me to appreciate them for supporting me all these years and giving me a reason to smile doing what I love,” Howard said in March.
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